A wave of celebration erupted in Senegal on Sunday as football supporters imprisoned in Morocco after the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final were finally welcomed back home following a royal pardon by Moroccan King, Mohammed VI.
The fans, who had been behind bars since the controversial AFCON showdown in January, arrived at Blaise Diagne Airport outside Dakar to emotional scenes after receiving clemency “on humanitarian grounds” ahead of the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye personally received the returning supporters and expressed joy over their release.
“We’re very happy to have them back on Senegalese soil,” the Senegalese leader told journalists while dressed in a tracksuit at the airport reception.
Faye also thanked Moroccan authorities for the gesture but reignited the AFCON controversy by describing Senegal as “two-time African champions”, despite the title dispute still pending before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
The dramatic AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat on January 18 descended into chaos after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco moments after Senegal had a goal ruled out.
Angered by the decision, Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the pitch and threw objects onto the field, while Senegal’s players briefly walked off in protest, forcing a delay of almost 20 minutes.
When play resumed, Morocco missed the penalty before Senegal scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner.
However, the Confederation of African Football later overturned the result and awarded the title to Morocco following an appeal, prompting Senegal to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters to prison terms ranging from three months to one year over hooliganism linked to the violence at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Three supporters completed their sentences and were released in April, while the remaining 15 stayed in prison until the latest royal pardon secured their freedom.
Morocco’s royal court said the decision was made in recognition of the “age-old fraternal ties” between both countries and to mark Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Faye had earlier announced the development on X, writing: “Our compatriots… are free. They will soon be reunited with their loved ones.”
Authorities in Morocco said the convictions were backed by stadium surveillance footage and medical reports involving injured officers and stewards, with property damage from the violence estimated at more than 370,000 euros.
The incident strained relations between the two African nations despite years of cooperation in sectors such as tourism and energy, as well as deep religious and cultural ties.
